Q&A with Eliza Henry-Jones

For the month of November, we are running our annual open call out for EWF 2016 (which you can find out more about here). We talked to some of this year’s amazing participants about their experience, which writers they are excited about at the moment, and what they’ve been up to since EWF15.

Eliza Henry-Jones works with drug and alcohol affected families using horses as a means of therapy. Her debut novel, In the Quiet, was published this year. At EWF15 Eliza was a panelist on the Early Bloomers panel as part of the National Writers’ Conference.

Have you attended the Emerging Writers’ Festival before?

I’ve attended a couple of times over the years and loved it! It’s such a vibrant, engaging series of events and it made me extremely happy to be involved this year.

What was your motivation for applying to be a part of EWF?

It’s such a wonderful festival! Who wouldn’t want to be a part of EWF?!

What did you get out of the festival? Any particular highlights?

I learnt a lot, particularly loved the panel presented on criticism. I’d never really given much thought to what constitutes criticism (silly, I know) and, for me, it was perfectly timed – just a few weeks before I started receiving critical feedback on In the Quiet (my debut). Another highlight is, of course, meeting other people in the industry. Particularly meeting the glorious Sulari Gentil, who absolutely delighted me.

What have you been up to since EWF15?

I’ve been busy promoting In the Quiet, writing and editing my second novel, moving onto a farm and finishing Honours! PHEW!

Who are some of the writers and artists that you’re excited about at the moment?

I am very excited about Lucy Treloar. I’m reading her novel “Salt Creek” at the moment and was up until 1am last night reading it (which is considerably late for someone who is generally tucked up and asleep by 10!)

Can you tell us about the last book you read and loved, and what’s currently on your to-read pile?

I absolutely loved Leah Kaminsky’s “The Waiting Room” and Eleanor Limprecht’s “Long Bay”. My to be read pile is extremely long, but at the top is The Story of Land and Sea by Katy Simpson Smith and Hope Farm by Peggy Frew. This year, I’ve read a lot of incredible work by female writers about strong and complex women.

What have you been working on lately?

I’ve been focused on getting my second novel finished! It’s having a big rewrite at the moment.

Applications are now open and will close at 5pm (AEST) on the 26th of November, 2015. Successful applicants can expect to hear from us in late January, 2016*. The 2016 Emerging Writers’ Festival will take place in Melbourne from June 14-24.